North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2012

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54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on management, environmental, scientific and technical issues.

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on architectural and engineering issues (See 5413 Architectural, engineering and related services)
    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on interior, industrial and graphic design issues (See 5414 Specialized design services)
    • providing expert advice and assistance to other organizations on information technology issues (See 5415 Computer systems design and related services)
54161 - Management consulting services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on management issues, such as strategic and organizational planning; financial planning and budgeting; marketing objectives and policies; human resource policies, practices and planning; and production scheduling and control planning.

  • Exclusion(s)

    • providing financial asset management services (See 523920 Portfolio management)
    • providing investment advice (See 523930 Investment advice)
    • planning and designing industrial processes and systems (See 541330 Engineering services)
    • planning and designing computer systems (See 54151 Computer systems design and related services)
    • developing and implementing public relations plans (See 541820 Public relations services)
    • developing and conducting marketing research or public opinion polling studies (See 541910 Marketing research and public opinion polling)
    • providing office or general administrative services on a day-to-day basis (See 561110 Office administrative services)
54162 - Environmental consulting services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on environmental issues, such as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances and hazardous materials. These establishments identify problems, measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. They employ a multi-disciplined staff of scientists, engineers and other technicians, with expertise in areas such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation and environmental law.

54169 - Other scientific and technical consulting services

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on scientific and technical issues.

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